The Portland daily press., 1887-01-04
Days on Which the Elite Call at the
White House.
More Pensions Granted to Claimants
In Maine.
Congress to Meet After the Recess
Today.
1soeeial to the PREss.1

| this winter, and in the two months which
intervenes before the adjournment of Con-
gress win put practical end to the social
season there will be few events of impor-
| tance.
| Society in Washington is different from
that of any other city in the country. In no
city is the rule of cliques and sets more pow
erful than here. In the main it is divided
into two classes. the transient or official
class and the resident WasLingtonians. The
firstclass come and go with Congress, and
changes are numerous from year to year.
The second, consisting Of the permanent
residents of the city, is more stable and
conservative. To the former circle it is not
very difficult to obtain and entrance, to the
latter it is quite another matter A dress
suit, little assurance and tolerable ac-
quaintance with the usages of good society,
will enable young man to obtain entrance
to the greater part of the fashionable gather
ings of a winter season. Here as almost
everywhere, plenty of money is all power.
full heard recently an incident illustrat-
ing this. During the latter part of the
month society is to "spread itself" by the
giving of Kinnes at the National Theatre,
in aid of the National Homeopathic Hospi-
tai. For the benefit of the uninitiated it
should be explained that Kinnes is series
of fancy dances, the minuet, flower dance,
Indian dance, gypsy dance, ETC., given in fan
cy costume on the stage, and orchestra of the
theatre, which is foored over for the occa
sion. Each dance is under the leadership of
some prominent society lady, assisted by
numerous aids, and danced by the young la
dies and gentlemen in society. When the
participants in one of the dances, it won't do
to be too explieite and say which one, come
together, one of the ladies was found to be
unknown to the others, and her appearance
was such that the others objected to her.
She is described as being very manifestly
new conner in social life, wane figured,
painted and powdered parsonage with
voice like charcoal peddler, and not as
graceful in her movements as in the opinion
of her fellow dancers, was required for the
dance. They went to the lady in charge
with petitions against the objectional per-
son, and some went so far as to refuse to
dance If she was permitted to take part.
"Why," said the manager. ''this is the wife
of Mr.. - from such place, meaning a city
in the far West, and her husband is very
rich, besides she is introduced by Mr.. Repre-
sentative Blank. She must take part"
That settled it and the lady in question will
take part and furthermore so will all the 9TH
ers. Her husbands money worked miracles
in changing the opinion of her fellow
dancers.
The different sets in society each have
separate day for their receptions, and on
these days, at least in the official circles, any
respectable person is at liberty to call and
pay their respects. Monday is the receiving
day of the families Of the Justices. Tuesday
and Friday the Representative families are
'at home" Wednesday is Cabinet day.
Thursday belongs to the Senators wives and
daughters, and every two weeks the Presi-
dents wife receives the public in the East
Rroom of the White House
Monday is also the day the residents call
upon Capitol Hill, Tuesday of the residents
of X street, and Saturday of Connecticut
Avenue and the fashionable West End The
callers upon the Cabinet ladies ON Wednes-
day are the most numerous, and are actura-
ted by the most varied motives. BY far the
greater portion go from the impulse Of Gu
riosity or perhaps from feeling of vanity.
1t looks so well you know to have the cards
of the Cabinet officers and their wives to
display on your card receiver to show that
you are ''in society" In the case Of Secre-
tary Whitney, crowds go there every We'd
nesday simply to see the house and the mag
nfcent ball room, which is the finest in the
city
Of course only an exceedingly small num-
Der of their calls are returned in person by
the Cabinet ladies, the usual way being to
send their cards to the address given ON the
cards left by the callers.
The life of a person in society is by no
means pleasant one and the quarter part
of them are very grateful when Lent comes
to bring it to an end.
Pensions have been granted Maine claim
ants as follows
Daniel, father of Austin E. Oliver, Waldoboro
Margaret, mother Of W; E. Speed Belfast.
Mercy, mother of VIM. II. Merrill, Lewiston.
Allen B. Williams, Waterville
Columbus Macomber, North Jay.
Thos. j. Gaubert, Richmond.
Horatl0 5. Gates, South RobbinSton.
q. N McLauchlen, DenDysville.
Hazen o. Frost, Fryeburg, reissue.
An increase Of pensions has been allowed
to the following:
John M. Vessel, Brooksville.
John Fitzgerald, Togus.
Juddlson Sproule, Centre M0ntyille.
A Bank Examiner Removed.
The secretary of the treasury today direct
ed the removal of A. NJ. Serbia from the Of
fee of bank examiner at New York. He re-
fused to resign at the request of the comp
troller of the currency. Mr.. V. p. Snyder,
the newly appointed examiner, left Wash
ington Sunday, with instructions to take
charge of the Office this morning.
The Public Debt Decreases.
The decrease in the public debt for the
month of December, 1886, was 9,35S 1902 80.
A Customs Decision.
Assistant Secretary Fairchild has over
| ruled the action of the Collector of Customs
| at Gloucester, Mass, in assessing duty on
certain salt herring imported per Arthur
| d. Story from the coast Of Newfoundland.
| The collector assessed the duty because of
| the fact that portion of the crew engaged
| in fishing were not American citizens, but
were men hired in Newfoundland for the
| purpose. The department decides that the
fish are entitled to free entry.
The Presidents Health.
Col Lamont said today that the President
| is much improved, and seemed to have been
/
ence. He remained in his private room to.
day, however, and received callers. He ex.
poets to be in his public office tomorrow, al
usual.
The Logan Fund.
Capt. George E. Lemon today received
from w. X. Vanderbilt a subscription OF
$1,000 for the Logan fund; from c. Wander
bilt, $1,000. Capt. Lemon today purchased
$4,000 of per cent United States bonds or
account of the Logan fund.
Acts Approved.
The President to-day approved an act pro
viding for the relief of the survivors and re
latives of the victims Of the Jeanette ex
pedition the act to modify the postal money
order system, and an act to extend the free
delivery system of the Post Office Depart
ment.
THE HERESY CASE.
The Andover Case Adjourned with
out Day.